Option 2: Authenticating via popup

Option 1 may not be appropriate for some environments. For example, Windows XP Home edition has a limitation that ensures that all users list as "guest" when printing to a remote printer. This limitation can be worked around with popup authentication.

  1. Nominate a system to host the printers and the PaperCut NG server software.

  2. Windows XP only: Turn off simple file sharing by opening Windows Explorer, select ToolsFolder Options..., and un-ticking the appropriate option on the View tab.

    Turn off simple file sharing

    Figure 31.2. Turn off simple file sharing

  3. On the nominated host system, ensure that the Guest account is disabled. To do this on a system running Windows XP:

    1. Open the Local Users screen: StartControl PanelAdministrative ToolsComputer ManagementLocal Users and GroupsUsers

    2. Right-click on the Guest user and select Properties.

    3. On the General tab, check Account is disabled.

    4. Press the OK button.

    This should also be performed for any system running a release station.

  4. On the nominated system, set up user accounts for all users.

  5. Install the PaperCut NG server software and complete the configuration wizard.

  6. Print from another workstation. The job should list in PaperCut NG under the user "guest".

  7. In the PaperCut NG admin interface, enable the account selection popup and turn off the Allow user to charge to their personal account option and enable the Allow user to perform printing as another user.

    Enable perform printing as other user

    Figure 31.3. Enable perform printing as other user

  8. Install the client software on each workstation. See the section called “User Client”.

  9. When the user prints to the shared printer, a popup will now ask users to enter their username and password.